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10 Questions with ... Laura Smiley
September 13, 2021
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1. How did you become interested in radio?
Back in the day, I loved making a great mixtape for my friends! Plus, as a young adult, I wanted to find my ‘tribe’ -- a group of people who loved music as much as I did! Volunteering at The Summit seemed like the perfect fit.
2. Tell us about WAPS – based in Akron – and its relationship with WKTL -- based in Youngstown.
We are sister stations, simultaneously broadcasting the same music programming. We will be adding a third signal soon, The Summit is expanding … stay tuned!
3. Tell us about the other channels you offer: The 330, KidJam, and Rock and Recovery
The 330: The past, present and future of Northeast Ohio music-- it’s homegrown, hyper-local and powered by The Summit.
KIDJAM!: Hip, clean pop music mixed with kid powered messaging to support, inspire and educate. Focused on ages 8-13.
Rock & Recovery: Supporting the recovery community with upbeat music with local and national voices of recovery, including individual testimonials for people experiencing recovery from substance use, alcohol, trauma and mental health disorders. This resource is powerful for loved ones, families and friends as well. Rock & Recovery is also a weeknight specialty show (10pm-12mindnight) on The Summit. Check out our new podcast, Recovery Talks!
4. Your main focus is on the underwriting and the sales side, so how do you approach the two markets and different channels for support?
The Summit was built on education, community and music. For both markets, I look for underwriters who have at least two of our ‘big three’.
5. What do you like best about your job?
May I share two things that I like best? First, I love live music, but what I love more is watching other people LOVE live music! Second, I love finding out what is awesome and amazing in our community and sharing that discovery with our listening audience.
6. What other aspects of the station do you also get involved with?
Oh goodness, we are a small group of seven full-time employees, managing four radio stations. We all do a little bit of everything. I love being on the air on the weekends. The music is really what brought me to The Summit originally as a volunteer 10 years ago.
7. What are some of your biggest challenges as an independent noncomm station?
Despite the fact that the station was formalized in 1956, I still find it astounding that people do not know about The Summit!
8. What is the biggest misconception about your station?
That we are just a small, local station when, actually, we cover 11 counties, or 5,000 square miles, clear into Pennsylvania! Plus, the music we play includes local favorites, new ‘baby bands’ and your favorite national acts.
9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Give people more than they deserve and do it cheerfully! Also, mirror what you admire in others.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without …
… my sunglasses, my new music playlist and my PD Brad Savage!
Bonus Questions
What charity or philanthropic organization do you support?
I am on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Akron, my local neighborhood association and the Rock & Recovery Advisory panel.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I am a long-distance backpacker and I love to collect mid-century furniture. I will go to any and every estate sale within a two-hour radius on Saturday mornings. If your grandma is selling, I am buying!
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